BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata said today that they are encouraged by the Federal Government’s announcement that it proposes to replace the Resource Super Profits Tax with a Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT).

The mining industry has consistently stated that any tax reform needs to satisfy core principles that include:

• ensuring that any new tax is not applied retrospectively, so that existing projects where investment decisions have already been made are not adversely affected; and
• ensuring a competitive effective tax rate that will not disadvantage Australia as an investment destination.

As a result of constructive discussions, the proposed new tax will apply only to iron ore and coal resources from 1 July 2012.

The companies agree that the proposal presented by the Government represents very significant progress towards a minerals taxation regime that satisfies the industry’s core principles.

The companies will continue to work constructively with Government to ensure that the detailed design of minerals taxation maintains the international competitiveness of the Australian resources industry into the future.

Details of the Government announcement are attached.